Harvey Angell - Softcover

Hendry, Diana

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099256029 ISBN 13: 9780099256021

Publisher: Red Fox, 1997

Synopsis

There's a mysterious, magical new lodger at gloomy 131 Ballantyre Road: Harvey Angell, whose bright beaming, thousand-watt smile can somehow cheer the most miserable people - even cross, penny-pinching Aunt Agatha!

About this title

About the Author

Diana Hendry was born in the Wirral and grew up by the sea. She has published more than forty books for children and teenagers. She won a Whitbread Award for Harvey Angell and a Scottish Arts Council Book Award for Harvey Angell Beats Time. One of her picture books, The Very Noisy Night, was adapted into a show by Blunderbus Theatre Company. Diana has also written four poetry collections for adults and children. She regularly tutors a group of teenagers at the Arvon Foundation's centre in Moniack Mhor. She lives in Edinburgh.

From Publishers Weekly

There's something about Harvey Angell. And young orphan Henry is on his way to finding out what that something is, in British author Hendry's Whitbread-winning novel, the first in a trilogy. When Harvey rents the attic room at 131 Ballantyre Road--home to Henry and his decidedly crabby and emotionally closed Aunt Agatha--Harvey pretty much turns everything upside down. He charms the other boarders and even Aunt Agatha with his good manners, beaming smile and fine flute playing. But much mystery surrounds him, especially his job, working with "circuits" and "connections" and "energy fields." Before long, Henry discovers that Harvey's connections have nothing to do with electricity but, rather, connecting the energy of the living with that of their deceased loved ones. As her characters blossom through the power of music, poetry and kindness, Hendry strikes several strong emotional notes, but never gets maudlin. Her imagery creates lyrical pictures ("The plumpness, the prettiness, the gentleness and happiness had dropped off her like leaves at the end of summer and left her gaunt and stark as a winter tree," Henry thinks, when comparing his aunt today with photos of her as a bride and young mother). Although a bit of the spirit of Harry Potter bubbles up now and again, this swift-moving story stands apart as an entertaining, thought-provoking read for fans of whimsical fantasy. Ages 8-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Red Fox
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0099256029
• ISBN 13: 9780099256021
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 142